‘If you like your music with heavy
riffs, fuzz pedals in overdrive and mixed with various styles, Fogg are worth
checking out.’
Album Type: Full Length
Date
Released:
23/06/2015
Label: Tee Pee Records
‘High
Testament’ CD//DD//LP track listing:
1). Joy of Home
2). You are Welcome
3). The Garden
4). Seasons
5). Mountain
6). Hand of the Lord
7). Grass in Hand
Fogg is:
Ethan Lyons | Drums
Chase Jowell | Guitar
Brandon Hoffman | Bass, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals
Review:
It has been a long time since a band has sent
tingles down my spine on a first listen, but Fogg have done just that with
their new record entitled ‘High Testament’, an absolutely monster of an album.
It’s all here Proto-metal, Doom, Psych, Jazz, and Stoner Rock, surrounded by
riffs Mr Iommi would be proud of. Fogg hail from Fort Worth , Texas
‘Joy of Home’ gets us on the way. A nice relaxing
acoustic intro opens things up accompanied by Brandon Hoffman’s understated
chilled raw vocals, indeed this intro lulls you into a false sense of security
as we are met with thunderous fuzz soaked riffs intent on pummel your senses.
Before you know it, the track is coming to the end, not before a howling guitar
solo arrives to make the hairs on the back of my neck stand to attention. Now
that’s what I call a start to an album.
‘You Are Welcome’ arrives with riffs saying hello,
the structure then changes to a sixties psych vibe mainly due to the echoing
vocal harmonies (Wolfmother?). Don’t worry though, riffs are in evidence
throughout the track and they blend in so well. ‘The Garden’ is completely
different, an acoustic ditty with very raw vocals, giving this track a lovely
charm. Innocently sang but sang with feeling and emotion, a flute solo arrives
taking you to the bottom of your garden to sit with the enchanted creatures
while the wind blows. ‘Seasons’ arrives with a deep throbbing bass intro and
smashing riffs wake you up from your slumber in the garden of enchantment you
previously found yourself in. The new season has arrived awash with cosmic
fuzzed ambience, causing the leaves to fall and die. We are met with a great
wailing guitar solo before the track returns to the throbbing bass line taking
you to journey’s end.
‘Mountain’ is the track of the album for me! A bluesy
intro sets things up to cries of “let’s get into something heavy” and boy does
it ever. The rumbling guitar riffs work in unison with a powerful throbbing
organ entwining together and producing one hell of a noise. You feel you are
entering the void of death, where the grim reaper awaits you. This track is
truly something special. ‘Hand of the Lord’ is a slow burner, beginning again
with acoustic guitar and understated raw vocals, but the middle section brings
you back to riff heaven, powerful, emotive, eerie and then back to a chilled
ending. What more can you ask for? Then
finally we have ‘Grass in Mind’, more deep riffs and raw vocals driving the
track through an eerie landscape of bliss. Lovely Jazz guitar loops arrive to
take you to a different mind space but not for long, the riffs return leading
to a little acoustic interlude to end this opus of awesomeness.
Fogg have produced something extraordinary with
this album, it’s like a fine LSD soaked wine. It has everything, passion, great
lyrics, magical song arrangements and fantastic musicianship. What’s more Fogg are adept at switching the
tempo of the record, to increase and decrease the tension at just the right
moment and this is done to devastating effect. If you like your music with
heavy riffs, fuzz pedals in overdrive and mixed with various styles, Fogg are
worth checking out. Spin this record now and you’ll almost certainly buy the
vinyl, I know I did. Wow! Now that does sound incredible.
These guys have totally graced my eardrums with ‘High
Testament’!
Words by: Brian
Mclean
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